Why does copper turn solutions blue

A good way to start studying why this reaction occurs is to look into the concepts of oxidation and reduction in your text. If you look at a typical redox table and compare the standard redox potentials of copper 0. So in the reaction, silver is reduced to silver metal while copper is oxidized. Pages: [ 1 ] Go Up. How to Calculate the Energy of Photons. How to Calculate Bond Order. Characteristics of Ionic and Covalent Compounds. How to Convert Joules to Grams.

How to Calculate Hertz to Joules. How to Calculate a Wavenumber. Threshold Frequency of Metals. How to Find a Quantum Number.

The beauty of copper patina has yet another dimension of depth and elegance that is unique. Just as the hammered texture of copper changes how light reflects off its surface, three-dimensional carvings captivate the imagination by suggesting hidden stories behind each curve. Ornate carvings can imbue a copper item with a charming nature. Alternatively, they can add a dash of regal pride to an otherwise mundane household fixture. CopperSmith has copper furnishings for every room in the house: kitchens, bathrooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and even the garage.

Browse our website to see all the different copper products that we offer. Copper patina has a presence that will inevitably draw attention from all corners of the room. Decorate your range hood with straps and rivets that themselves can have textured patterns. Not only do range hoods serve the important safety function of removing fumes and particulate matter from the air, but they can also be a pleasure to the eyes.

CopperSmith has apron sinks and barn sinks that display a face towards the kitchen that draws attention from across the room. Sinks are not just found in the kitchen but are also in the bathroom.

Garages can have sinks next to the washer or for everyday use, so even that room can be enhanced by copper. Some people prefer to have copper sinks next to their outdoor grill or in their patio, making food preparation and clean up easier.

Not only do they have elegant designs, but they are easy to clean, as well. Since we know the chemical reactions that cause the different shades of color in copper patina, there are ways that we can affect what color patina becomes and how fast patina forms.

Creating artificial patina is a common activity among people who make copper jewelry and kitchenware. The following tips will teach you how to patina copper. Making a consistent pattern of artificial patina on large furnishings such as bathtubs, tables and range hoods is more challenging than doing it on jewelry.

For large objects, it is best to pick a piece of copper whose patina was industrially created by professionals. For each of the following methods, the longer the copper is exposed to the homemade concoction of chemicals, the more intense the patina will become. You should be sure to test out the strength of your treatment on small objects such as coins and pennies before doing it on your prized copper possessions.

Keep notes about how much of each chemical was mixed, which will allow you to adjust the strength or effect of your home-made patination mixture for your desired effect. Test the method to see how fast the patina forms, so you know when to stop the incubation time. Make sure you pay attention to safety procedures about handling any home cleaning agent.

An adult should supervise children under Household cleaning agents can cause irritation in the eyes, skin, nasal passage and lungs. They can also be dangerous if ingested. The hot boiled egg method is perfect for creating a brownish patina on copper. Eggs are hard boiled and then crushed to pieces in a re-sealable plastic bag or container while they are still hot. The copper is then placed into the bag and sealed for minutes to hours, depending on the desired shade of brown patina.

The longer the incubation time, the darker the brown color. This method is ideal for small copper items, but large ones are difficult to manage through this technique. Miracle-Gro plant fertilizer is an excellent oxidizer of copper. For a blue patina, mix one part Miracle-Gro with three parts water for a solution that you can spray or wipe onto the copper. For a green patina, mix one part Miracle-Gro with three parts red wine vinegar. A patina will form within 30 minutes and become permanent within 24 hours.

Soaking copper in white vinegar and salt will create a blue or green patina. Other ways of doing this are to bury the copper in sawdust or crushed potato chips soaked in white vinegar.

The longer the copper is buried, the darker the patina becomes. Spray the copper with a solution of salt water and then place the copper in a container that contains non-detergent ammonia. The copper should not be touching the ammonia liquid, but should be raised above it. The sealed container will trap ammonia vapors that will then make contact with the copper. Be careful when handling ammonia: wear protective gloves, wear safety goggles and be near water in case you need to rinse ammonia off of yourself.

Also, do not sniff ammonia and use ammonia outdoors or make sure the room is well-ventilated. There are ways to allow the patina to form naturally without applying chemicals to it. Exposing the copper to outdoor conditions will help patina to form. Outdoor conditions include fog, rain, snow, and heat. I put one of them on the table, opened the bottle marked nitric acid, poured some of the liquid on the copper and prepared to make an observation.

But what was this wonderful thing which I beheld? The cent was already changed and it was no small change either.

A green-blue liquid foamed and fumed over the cent and over the table. The air in the neighborhood of the performance became colored dark red. A great colored cloud arose. This was disagreeable and suffocating. How should I stop this? I tried to get rid of the objectionable mess by picking it up and throwing it out of the window.

I learned another fact. Nitric acid not only acts upon copper, but it acts upon fingers.